• He hasn't exactly Wally Pipp-ed anyone, but Torey Krug has proven he can play a role for the Bruins.

• It's a cliche because it's true: Getting traffic in front of Jimmy Howard is the key to breaking through against the hot goaltender and preventing Chicago's magical season from coming to a crashing halt.

• Two weeks ago, the mayor of Glendale told Gary Bettman not to ask for a meeting until the ownership picture was set. Gary scheduled meetings for next Tuesday. Before you blow this off, there really might be something to it this time, and maybe that's what GM Don Maloney felt comfortable signing a new long-term deal yesterday.

• The Fourth Period reports the new ownership group is led by Calgary businessman George Gosbee. Although you wonder how much of a businessman he can be if he's putting any of his own fortune into that money pit.